U.S. Women’s Hockey Coach Criticizes Officiating After Olympic Win Over Italy
MILAN — The United States women’s ice hockey team continued its march toward Olympic gold on Friday night, overwhelming host nation Italy 6-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. But amid the celebration, head coach **John Wroblewski voiced sharp criticism of the game’s officiating, suggesting inconsistent calls altered the flow of play and allowed physical conduct that he felt disadvantaged his squad.
The U.S. team, which has been a dominant force throughout the tournament, controlled possession and outshot Italy by a wide margin, building a commanding lead with five second-period goals and recording yet another shutout as they advanced to the semifinals with a perfect record.
Swift Victory, Strong Performance
From the opening puck drop at the Milano Rho Arena, the American roster quickly asserted its superior depth and skill. Megan Keller scored early to put the top-seeded U.S. ahead, and by the end of the second period, contributions from Kendall Coyne Schofield, Laila Edwards, Hannah Bilka, and Britta Curl had cemented a comfortable lead. Goalie Gwyneth Philips registered her fourth straight tournament shutout, finishing with multiple impressive saves.
The victory showcased the breadth of the Americans’ offensive firepower and steadfast defense, with the team outscoring opponents 26-1 across five games leading into the semis — where a clash with Sweden or Germany now looms.
Officiating Sparks Public Frustration
Despite the lopsided scoreline, the tone of the game turned noticeably tense late in the second period. After Bilka’s goal extended the U.S. lead, a collision in front of Italy’s net sparked a scuffle involving American forward Abbey Murphy and Italian defenseman Franziska Stocker. Both players were assessed penalties, and Wroblewski was caught on camera visibly animated at the officiating crew.
After the game, Wroblewski took issue with several calls — or lack thereof — suggesting that similar hits and physical play by other teams had gone unpenalized earlier in the tournament. “It felt like the rules weren’t being applied consistently,” he said, adding that some physicality from opposing teams seemed overlooked, even as his own players were penalized for standing up to it.
Forward Murphy, widely recognized as one of the team’s most dynamic players, shrugged off the on-ice heat, saying that controlling emotions while defending teammates was part of high-stakes Olympic competition. Her teammates echoed that sentiment, emphasizing focus and discipline as necessary ingredients for deep tournament runs.
Italy’s Effort and Coach’s Response
Italy, making only its second Olympic appearance in women’s hockey, entered the quarterfinals buoyed by two surprising wins in the preliminary round. Although outmatched by the Americans, the Azzurre competed with heart — particularly goaltender Gabriella Durante, who made a host of early saves that kept Italy competitive in the initial period.
Italy’s coach, Eric Bouchard, acknowledged the U.S. dominance but praised his team’s resilience and performance in reaching the knockout stage. Bouchard also downplayed the officiating debate, focusing instead on the strides Italian women’s hockey has made on the Olympic stage.
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
With the crowd cheering as the final buzzer sounded, the U.S. team remained firmly focused on the next obstacle in their path — a semifinal matchup that could determine whether they’ll defend Olympic gold. While discussions over officiating may follow them, the performance on the ice spoke to a team intent on winning its next game, and the next, en route to the podium.
